Company History

The history of Woodstock Chimes, told in pictures. Click on any thumbnail to see the full picture and read more.

EARLY 1970s

Garry's Adapted Lawn Chair

EARLY 1970sIn the early 70s, Garry Kvistad began what would become Woodstock Chimes in -- of all places -- an Illinois landfill. Using the tubes from the discarded lawn chairs, Garry crafted a metallophone, a xylophone-like instrument made with metal instead of wood.

SPRING 1979

Garry & Diane Kvistad - In the Beginning

SPRING 1979Diane agrees to let Garry exhibit his new windchime design in her sculpture booth at the Cincinnati Craft Fair. The first Chimes of Olympos was sold this day.

SPRING 1979

Woodstock's First "Factory"

SPRING 1979Woodstock's first factory was this barn in West Hurley, New York. A younger Garry is just as at home with a hammer as he is with a tuning fork or a drumstick.

1980 & '81

Woodstock Gets on the Air

1980 & '81Garry, pictured here with NBC's Nancy Foreman in '80, catches a big break when he is asked by Gene Shalit to Appear on The Today Show. He had caught his first big break a year earlier when interviewed by Susan Stamberg on NPR's All Things Considered and hundreds of listeners responded.

SUMMER 1984

Woodstock's First Appearance at the NY Gift Show

SUMMER 1984Garry and Vice President Stacey Bowers staff Woodstock's booth at the New York International Gift Show at the Pier in Manhattan. It is the inaugural year for Accent On Design at the NYIGF show.

SPRING 1987

Garry appears in the Wall Street Journal

SPRING 1987Garry makes the pages of the Wall Street Journal with his first major commission, a giant chime for the County Courthouse in Montgomery, Alabama.

OCTOBER 1990

Woodstock Chimes perform at Carnegie Hall

OCTOBER 1990Garry is pictured on stage with the Canadian-based ensemble, NEXUS, and the late Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Takemitsu was commissioned to compose a concerto for NEXUS and the Boston Symphony Orchestra as part of Carnegie Hall's centennial celebration. Takemitsu, in turn, commissioned Garry to create two custom sets of Woodstock Chimes to be used in the piece named From me flows what you call Time.

SPRING 1998

Woodstock Chimes Employees at the West Hurley Factory

SPRING 1998The employees of Woodstock Percussion pose outside the company's West Hurley factory. Woodstock Chimes were made in this building from 1985 until 1999, when Woodstock relocated to nearby Shokan, New York.

JUNE 20, 2003

Woodstock Chimes Reviewed by the Wall Street Journal

JUNE 20, 2003The Wall Street Journal rates Woodstock's Chimes of Bach™ the best value and best overall in a review of five different chime makers. The Journal's independent music expert chose this chime for its sweet and gentle sound.

SUMMER 2003

Woodstock Chimes Commissioned to Build Memorial

SUMMER 2003When the president of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota decided to build a memorial to former students, he thought of Woodstock Chimes. This massive collection of Woodstock Windsinger Chimes are tuned to notes from the hymn Beautiful Savior, the St. Olaf Choir's signature song.

DECEMBER 5, 2003

Garry Kvistad and NEXUS perform in LA

DECEMBER 5, 2003Garry, now a regular member of NEXUS, appears with the ensemble as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the new Walt Disney Concert Hall (designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry). Shown here is one of the two custom sets of Woodstock Chimes used in Takemitsu's From me flows what you call Time. The chimes are suspended above the audience and activated by color streamers that lead to the performers on stage. NEXUS continues to perform this work around the world.

DECEMBER 20, 2003

Woodstock Chimes & The Paul Winter Consort

DECEMBER 20, 2003The Paul Winter Consort (Paul, far right) at the 24th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, NYC. Behind them is Paul's revolving Solstice Tree, made up of assorted bells, gongs and dozens of Woodstock Chimes.

EARLY 2000s

A Giant Woodstock Chime Marks the Spot

EARLY 2000sThis super-sized Woodstock Chime is tuned to the same scale as the Chimes of Bali. The 18-foot-tall sculptural stand, created by Swiss designer Bernhard Anliker, was installed on the shore of Goose Pond in front of the current Woodstock headquarters location.

DECEMBER 2008

Introducing the Asli Arts Collection

DECEMBER 2008In 2008, Woodstock expanded its product line through the purchase of Asli Arts, Inc., makers of high-quality, great-sounding bamboo and capiz shell windchimes. Our new Asli Arts Collection consists of chimes made in Bali. The word asli means traditional in Indonesian, but these windchimes are a wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary designs that add a new note to the sounds of Woodstock Chimes.

JANUARY 2011

Shimmering Woodstock Rainbow Makers Make an Entrance

JANUARY 2011Made with genuine Austrian crystals, Woodstock Rainbow Makers add shimmer and shine to the environment. There are several designs to choose from. Crystal Guardian Angels come in colors that match each month's birthstone. Crystal Fantasies have laser-cut charms in animal and mythical designs. Crystal Cascades feature a cluster of crystals in either shades of moonlight blue or rainbow. Both are finished with a clear faceted crystal drop. Crystal Grand Cascades, which are larger and make a huge impact!

TODAY

Olivewoods - Our Current Home

TODAYWoodstock Percussion's current home, Olivewoods, nestled in New York's Catskill Mountains, with its signature Giant Woodstock Chime in front.